Save Me - BTS Family

We can't be together

"They're here!" Lisa burst into J-Hope's cabin, breathless and urgent.

"Okay," J-Hope replied casually, standing up.

"C'mon, hurry up!" Lisa commanded, already turning on her heels as J-Hope rushed to follow her.

As they entered the meeting room, a poised and confident woman extended her hand toward J-Hope with a polished smile.

"Hello, Mr. Kim, it's really nice to meet you."

"Oh, pleasure's all mine, Ms...?"

"Kim Irene," she introduced, her voice smooth like honey. "Call me Irene. And here, we have Ms. Sana and Mr. Han."

J-Hope shook hands with each of them before they all settled into their seats. Lisa, standing a step behind, observed closely.

"Oh my, Mr. Kim," Irene cooed, crossing her legs deliberately, her gaze lingering a little too long. "You're one of the finest and most fascinating people I've ever met."

J-Hope chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Haha, you're too generous, Ms. Irene. The feeling is mutual."

Lisa clenched her jaw. If looks could kill, Irene would've dropped dead by now. The way she was looking at J-Hope wasn't subtle, and Lisa wasn't the type to let such things slide. Still, she forced herself to stay composed, reminding herself to be professional. Even though a part of her desperately wanted J-Hope to notice her unease, he didn't.

Han cleared his throat, breaking the moment. "So, Mr. Kim—"

"Oh, call me J-Hope," he corrected with an easy smile.

"Alright, J-Hope-ssi," Han continued, straightening in his chair. "Let's get to the point. You're one of the biggest faces of the Kim family, and undoubtedly one of the best dancers out there. We want to collaborate with you and welcome you onto our podcast. I believe this partnership will be mutually beneficial."

J-Hope nodded, his fingers tapping lightly against the table as he listened. His eyes flickered toward Lisa, who was intently focused on Han's words. But when J-Hope glanced back at Han, he noticed something else—the slight smirk the man threw in Lisa's direction.

Something in J-Hope's chest twisted.

"So, what do you think?" Sana asked, her eyes shimmering with excitement.

J-Hope leaned back, shrugging slightly. "I'm not the right person to ask that."

Everyone turned to him in confusion.

"Oh, come on, J-Hope-ssi," Irene giggled, her perfectly manicured hand casually resting on his thigh. "Are you going to ask your parents for permission?"

Lisa stiffened. The audacity.

J-Hope, unfazed, simply smiled and adjusted his seat, subtly shifting his leg out of Irene's reach. "No, of course not. But Ms. Lalisa Manoban here," he gestured toward Lisa, "is the adviser. She's the one who makes decisions for the academy."

Lisa blinked in surprise. That was... unexpected.

"Oh." That was all Irene said, her lips pressing together in a thin line.

"So, Lisa-ssi," Han redirected smoothly, "what do you think of the offer?"

Lisa met J-Hope's gaze. He offered her a reassuring smile, as if silently telling her, You got this.

She cleared her throat and straightened. "We'd love to collaborate, but there are certain aspects that need to be clarified before we can finalize any contracts." She went on to explain the specifics, laying out conditions with the kind of sharp professionalism that had always impressed J-Hope.